مع السلامة
ma'a as-salāmah
The English phrase 'be safe' can be translated into Arabic as مع السلامة (ma'a as-salāmah).
مع السلامة is used as a way to say goodbye or to wish someone safety. It is the most standard and widely recognized way to say goodbye throughout the Arabic-speaking world.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition ma'a (with) and as-salāmah (the safety/peace).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase مع السلامة is fixed and does not change based on whether you are speaking to a man, a woman or a group.
How do you pronounce it?
ma'a as-salāmah
Did you know?
- While مع السلامة is the standard goodbye, it is often paired with the reply في أمان الله, which means 'in the protection of God'. This creates a cultural dialogue where one person wishes for 'safety' and the other acknowledges 'divine protection'.
- The word مع is a cognate with the Hebrew word עם meaning 'with'. These words are linguistic relatives that have survived across different Semitic languages over thousands of years.
- In some dialects, people shorten the phrase or use variations, but مع السلامة remains the 'universal' goodbye that is understood from Morocco to Oman despite vast differences in spoken dialects.
Examples in context
- وداعاً، مع السلامة.wadā'an, ma'a as-salāma.Goodbye, be safe.
Example conversation
Ahmed is leaving Layla's house after a visit.
- أحمد Ahmedشكراً على الضيافة، مع السلامة يا ليلى.shukran 'alā aḍ-ḍiyāfa, ma'a as-salāma yā Laylā.Thanks for the hospitality, be safe, Layla.
- ليلى Laylaعفواً، مع السلامة يا أحمد.'afwan, ma'a as-salāma yā Aḥmad.You're welcome, be safe, Ahmed.
- أحمد Ahmedإلى اللقاء.ilā al-liqā'.See you later.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries مع, مع السلامة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
